The Hebrew debash in the first place applied to the product of the bee, to which exclusively we give the name of honey. All travellers agree in describing Palestine as a land "flowing with milk and honey," (Exodus 3:8) bees being abundant even in the remote parts of the wilderness, where they deposit their honey in the crevices of rocks or in hollow trees. In some parts of northern Arabia the hills are so well stocked with bees that no sooner are hives placed than they are occupied. In the second place the term debash applies to a decoction of the juice of the grape, which is still called dibs , and which forms an article of commerce in the East, it was this, and not ordinary bee-honey, which Jacob sent to Joseph, (Genesis 43:11) and which the Tyrians purchased from Palestine. (Ezekiel 27:17) A third kind has been described by some writers as a "vegetable" honey, by which is meant the exudations of certain trees and shrubs, such as the Tamarix mannifera , found in the peninsula of Sinai, or the stunted oaks of Luristan and Mesopotamia . The honey which Jonathan ate in the wood, (1 Samuel 14:25) and the "wild honey" which supported John the Baptist, (Matthew 3:42) have been referred to this species. But it was probably the honey of wild bees.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Honey

Was formerly very plentiful in Palestine, and hence the frequent expressions of Scripture which import that that country was a land flowing with milk and honey, Le 20:24. Wild bee honey was often found in hollow trees and clefts in the rocks, De 32:13 Psalm 81:16; and on this John the Baptist fed, Matthew 3:4. Honey was highly prized, Psalm 19:10Proverbs 5:3 27:7. Modern travellers observe that it is still very common there, and that the inhabitants mix it in all their sauces. Forskal says the caravans of Mecca bring honey from Arabia to Cairo, and that he has often seen honey flowing in the woods in Arabia. It would seem that this flowing honey is bee honey, and this fact illustrates the story of Jonathan, 1 Samuel 14:25,27. But there is also a vegetable honey that is very plentiful in the East. Burckhardt, speaking of the productions of the Ghor, or valley of the Jordan, says one of the most interesting productions of this place is the Beyrouk honey, as the Arabs call it. It was described to him as a juice dropping from the leaves and twigs of a tree called Gharrab, of the size of an olive tree, with leaves like those of the popular, but somewhat broader. The honey collects on the leaves like dew, and is gathered from them, or from the ground under the tree. Another vegetable product is referred to in the Bible as honey, 2 1 Corinthians 13:14. It is syrup, prepared by boiling down the juice of dates, etc. That made from grapes is called dibs, and is much used by the Arabs as a condiment with food. It resembles thin molasses, and is pleasant to the taste, Genesis 43:11.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Hebrews ya'ar, occurs only 1 Samuel 14:25, 27, 29; Cant. 5:1, where it denotes the honey of bees. Properly the word signifies a forest or copse, and refers to honey found in woods.

(3.) Debash denotes bee-honey (Judges 14:8); but also frequently a vegetable honey distilled from trees (Genesis 43:11; Ezek. 27:17). In these passages it may probably mean "dibs," or syrup of grapes, i.e., the juice of ripe grapes boiled down to one-third of its bulk.

Canaan was a "land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Milk and honey were among the chief dainties in the earlier ages, as they are now among the Bedawin; and butter and honey are also mentioned among articles of food (Isaiah 7:15). The ancients used honey instead of sugar (Psalm 119:103; Proverbs 24:13); but when taken in great quantities it caused nausea, a fact referred to in Proverbs 25:16, 17 to inculcate moderation in pleasures. Honey and milk also are put for sweet discourse (Cant. 4:11).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A sweet viscid fluid, esp. that collected by bees from flowers of plants, and deposited in the cells of the honeycomb.

2. (n.) That which is sweet or pleasant, like honey.

3. (n.) Sweet one; -- a term of endearment.

4. (v. i.) To be gentle, agreeable, or coaxing; to talk fondly; to use endearments; also, to be or become obsequiously courteous or complimentary; to fawn.

5. (v. t.) To make agreeable; to cover or sweeten with, or as with, honey.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

HONEY

hun'-i (debhash; meli): One familiar with life in Palestine will recognize in debhash the Arabic dibs, which is the usual term for a sweet syrup made by boiling down the juice of grapes, raisins, carob beans, or dates. Dibs is seldom, if ever, used as a name for honey (compare Arabic 'asal), whereas in the Old Testament debhash probably had only that meaning. The honey referred to was in most cases wild honey (Deuteronomy 32:13Judges 14:8, 91 Samuel 14:25, 26, 29, 43), although the offering of honey with the first-fruits would seem to indicate that the bees were also domesticated (2 Chronicles 31:5). The bees constructed their honeycomb and deposited their honey in holes in the ground (1 Samuel 14:25); under rocks or in crevices between the rocks (Deuteronomy 32:13Psalm 81:16). They do the same today. When domesticated they are kept in cylindrical basket hives which are plastered on the outside with mud. The Syrian bee is an especially hardy type and a good honey producer. It is carried to Europe and America for breeding purposes.

6689. Tsuph -- ancestor of Elkanah and Samuel... Or Tsowphay {tso-fah'-ee}; or Tsiyph {tseef}; from tsuwph; honey-comb; Tsuph or Tsophai or Tsiph, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine -- Zophai .../hebrew/6689.htm - 6k

Library

"Honey in the Mouth!"... "Honey in the Mouth!". A Sermon (No.2213). Intended for Reading on Lord's-Day, July 19th, 1891,. Delivered on Friday Morning, April 24th, 1891, by. CH SPURGEON, .../.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/honey in the mouth.htm

But if You Urge that Bones, Different Kinds of Honey...... Book IV. 10 But if you urge that bones, different kinds of honey� But if you urge that bones, different kinds of honey, thresholds .../.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/10 but if you urge.htm

It is not Right to Offer Honey and Milk on the Altar. ...... It is not right to offer honey and milk on the altar.� It is not right to offerhoney and milk on the altar. ... No one should offer honey or milk at the altar. .../.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lvii it is not.htm

Commandment Fifth. Of Sadness of Heart, and of Patience.... [183] For if an exceedingly small piece of wormwood be taken and put into a jar of honey, is not the honey entirely destroyed, and does not the exceedingly .../.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment fifth of sadness of.htm

Psalm XIX.... "And sweeter than honey and the honey comb." And whether one be even now honey, who, disenthralled already from the chains of this life, is awaiting the day .../.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xix.htm

1 to Pray is as it were to be on Speaking Terms with Me...... 4. Just as the bee collects the sweet juice of the flowers and turns it into honey without injuring their colour or fragrance, so the man of prayer gathers ...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section iii 1 to pray.htm

Thesaurus

Honey (62 Occurrences)... 5:1, where it denotes the honey of bees. Properly the word signifies a forest or copse, and refers to honey found in woods. (2.) Nopheth .../h/honey.htm - 34k

Floweth (16 Occurrences)... Leviticus 20:24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am .../f/floweth.htm - 11k

Honeycomb (9 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A mass of hexagonal waxen cells, formed by bees, and used by them to hold their honey and their eggs. ...Honey and milk are under your tongue. .../h/honeycomb.htm - 9k

Bee (1 Occurrence)... Samson found a "swarm of bees" in the carcass of a lion he had slain (Judges 14:8). Wild bees are described as laying up honey in woods and in clefts of rocks .../b/bee.htm - 10k

Tasted (18 Occurrences)... up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. ... land. Please look how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey. .../t/tasted.htm - 11k

Butter (10 Occurrences)... 2 Samuel 17:29 and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, "The people .../b/butter.htm - 10k

Curd (8 Occurrences)... 2 Samuel 17:29 and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people .../c/curd.htm - 9k

Revelation 10:9 I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, "Take it, and eat it up. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 10:10 I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 43:11 Their father, Israel, said to them, "If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 3:8 I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 3:17 and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey."'(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 13:5 It shall be, when Yahweh shall bring you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 16:31 The house of Israel called its name Manna, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 30:23 And thou, take to thyself principal spices, wild honey five hundred 'shekels'; and spice-cinnamon, the half of that, two hundred and fifty; and spice-cane two hundred and fifty;(YLT)

Exodus 33:3 to a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I consume you in the way."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 2:11 "'No meal offering, which you shall offer to Yahweh, shall be made with yeast; for you shall burn no yeast, nor any honey, as an offering made by fire to Yahweh.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 20:24 But I have said to you, "You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey." I am Yahweh your God, who has separated you from the peoples.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 13:27 They told him, and said, "We came to the land where you sent us; and surely it flows with milk and honey; and this is its fruit.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 14:8 If Yahweh delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which flows with milk and honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:13 is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, but you must also make yourself a prince over us?(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 16:14 Moreover you haven't brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: will you put out the eyes of these men? We won't come up."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 6:3 Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 8:8 a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig trees and pomegranates; a land of olive trees and honey;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 11:9 and that you may prolong your days in the land, which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give to them and to their seed, a land flowing with milk and honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 26:9 and he has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the ground which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 27:3 and you shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over; that you may go in to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat; then will they turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth. He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil out of the flinty rock;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn't listen to the voice of Yahweh. Yahweh swore to them that he wouldn't let them see the land which Yahweh swore to their fathers that he would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 14:8 After a while he returned to take her; and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 14:9 He took it into his hands, and went on, eating as he went; and he came to his father and mother, and gave to them, and they ate: but he didn't tell them that he had taken the honey out of the body of the lion.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 14:18 The men of the city said to him on the seventh day before the sun went down, "What is sweeter than honey? What is stronger than a lion?" He said to them, "If you hadn't plowed with my heifer, you wouldn't have found out my riddle."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:25 All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:26 When the people were come to the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:27 But Jonathan didn't hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:29 Then Jonathan said, "My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 14:43 Then Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me what you have done!" Jonathan told him, and said, "I certainly did taste a little honey with the end of the rod that was in my hand; and behold, I must die."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 17:29 and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David, and for the people who were with him, to eat: for they said, "The people are hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 14:3 Take with you ten loaves, and cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will become of the child."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 18:32 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and of honey, that you may live, and not die. Don't listen to Hezekiah, when he persuades you, saying, "Yahweh will deliver us."(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 31:5 As soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 27:7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 4:11 Your lips, my bride, drip like the honeycomb. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 7:22 and it shall happen, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for everyone will eat butter and honey that is left in the midst of the land.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 11:5 that I may establish the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as at this day. Then answered I, and said, Amen, Yahweh.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 32:22 and gave them this land, which you swore to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 41:8 But ten men were found among those who said to Ishmael, Don't kill us; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he stopped, and didn't kill them among their brothers.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 3:3 He said to me, Son of man, cause your belly to eat, and fill your bowels with this scroll that I give you. Then I ate it; and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 16:13 Thus you were decked with gold and silver; and your clothing was of fine linen, and silk, and embroidered work; you ate fine flour, and honey, and oil; and you were exceeding beautiful, and you prospered to royal estate.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 16:19 My bread also which I gave you, fine flour, and oil, and honey, with which I fed you, you even set it before them for a pleasant aroma; and thus it was, says the Lord Yahweh.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 20:6 in that day I swore to them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 20:15 Moreover also I swore to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 27:17 Judah, and the land of Israel, they were your traffickers: they traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, and confections, and honey, and oil, and balm.(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)